Container and apparatus for toilet bowl cleaning fluid



1965 L. M. CORNING ETAL 3,1 8, 34

CONTAINER AND APPARATUS FOR TOILET BOWL. CLEANING FLUID Filed April 9, 1962 [27E I 5-53 INVEWOM LEON M. CORN/N6 BY ROBERT L. FRIEDENTHAL A T TORNE Y United States Patent Uflfice 3,168,984 Patented Feb. 9, 1965 3,168,984 CONTAINER AND APPARATUS FOR TOILET fiOWL CLEANENG FLUED Leon M. Corning, Redwood City, Robert L. Friedenthal, San Mateo, and Robert E. Sarafan, San Francisco, Calif assignors to Advance Chemical Company, San Francisco, Calif.

Filed Apr. 9, 1962, Ser. No. 186,172 5 Claims. (Cl. 239333) This invention relates to new and improved container and apparatus for toilet bowl cleaning fluid. More particularly, the invention relates to a plastic container having a shape such that it is conveniently carried and held in the hand while the apparatus used in conjunction therewith sprays fluid from the container into a toilet bowl, urinal or the like. Accordingly, the container has a generally rectangular shape in plan with an elongated neck at the top adjacent one side edge of the container and having a handle portion extending horizontally outwardly from a point near the top of the neck and joined to the body by a depending leg. The end of the container opposite the neck is formed with a recessed cup serving as a receptacle for a swab or mop used to mop the surface to which the liquid has been applied.

A further feature of the invention is provision of a pump fitting into the neck of the container to pump liquid from the interior and force the same through an elongated flexible tube terminating in a tip used to pump and direct the spray of liquid to the precise area to be cleaned.

Accordingly the invention relates to a device for controlled spraying of a chemical substance into the crevice in the rim of a toilet bowl, urinal or the like, whereby the cavity in the rim is sterilized as is the entire exposed surface of the bowl from top to bottom, thereby achieving a more effective use of the chemicals.

Although various chemicals may be used in conjunction with this container and apparatus, the present invention is particularly useful in spraying a chemical having an iodophor solution with a high acid concentration. The iodophor solution is an effective sterilizer and the acid descales the bowl. Hence, a composition which has approximately 9.50% hydrochloric acid, 0.15% Iodophor 20, 1.00% synthetic detergent and the balance water is particularly effective.

Solutions such as that heretofore described are somewhat dangerous to handle in that the skin of the user may be affected, particularly when rubber gloves are not worn, and if the spray comes in contact with the eye considerable harm may occur. Furthermore, it is desirable that the spray be confined to the bowl being cleaned rather than coming in contact with the floor, which may be deleteriously affected thereby. The present invention has for one of its principal objects the control and confinement of the chemical both before and during the spraying operation.

A still further purpose of the invention is the provision of apparatus wherein the danger of breakage or spillage is for practical purposes eliminated.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of a container which is strong and compact and readily portable. Such a container may be used for initial sale of the chemical and is also suitable for refilling from a more standard shaped container. The location of the handle and the weight distribution of the container is such that the device may be held in one hand, the opposite hand being used to direct the spray tip at the outer end. of the tube. This feature of the invention is extremely important for the convenience of the user.

It is desirable after the chemical has been sprayed onto the surface to be cleaned to swab the surface with a hand mop. When the mop has been saturated with liquid it is undesirable that it be placed on the flloor or in such position that it may come in contact with any other object which may be chemically affected by the solution. Accordingly, a cup is recessed into the container hereinafter described in detail, such cup being shaped to receive the mop. Hence, no drippage of chemical results nor is the portion of the mop which has been saturated with the chemical solution likely to come in contact with any object which can be harmed thereby.

A still further feature of the invention is the provision of flexible clips on the rim of the cup heretofore described which clips may be used to hold the handle of the mop in position and also may be used to hold the end of the flexible tube when it is not in use.

A still further feature of the invention is the provision of a manually operated pump which pumps a controlled and preselected volume of chemical for effective dispersal in the bowl cavity. The flexibility of the tube and its length are selected for convenient and eflicient operation of the device.

Although the container and apparatus have particular application in servicing sanitary fixtures of the type heretofore described, it will be understood that it may be used for other fixtures, particularly where similar problems of sanitation and descaling of the surface are encountered.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation, showing the apparatus in use in descaling and sanitizing the rim of a toilet bowl.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the container and pump.

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the structure of FIG. 2.

The apparatus which is the subject of this invention is an essentially lightweight, conveniently handled container and spray intended primarily for use by commercial janitonal service companies, but which may also be used by householders as well. The apparatus is preferably used in application of a germicidal and a descaling chemical which is relatively dangerous to handle in uncontrolled fashion. A suggested formula for such chemical has heretofore been set forth. The container hereinafter described preferably has a capacity of about one-half gallon, which is the maximum which can conveniently be held in an elevated position with one hand.

Turning now to the container 11, it will be seen that it is preferably rectangular in plan, having substantially vertical front 12 and rear 13 ends and sides 14. A recessed bottom 16 is provided and the corner 17 at which the bottom 16 joins the sides and ends is preferably rounded. Thus, the container rests on the rounded edges 17, the recessed bottom providing strength and rigidity to the container. Front end 12 is vertical for substantially its entire length, whereas the side 14 slants upwardly-inwardly at about the shoulder line indicated by reference numeral 18 at an angle of approximately degrees to provide converging flanks 19. Thus, flanks 19 merge into a substantially horizontal approximately rectangular top 21 having a length approximately one-half that of the length of sides 14 and having a width approximately onehalf the width of end 12. At the front of the container an approximately circular neck 22 rises above top 21, the neck 22 preferably being somewhat elongated and terminating in a screw threaded end 23. During transportation and storage, the end 23 is preferably closed off with a screw cap. For convenience in carrying the container, a hollow handle is provided, such a handle having a hori zontally outwardly extending portion 26 which is approximately elliptical in cross section being slightly Wider than its height and spaced above top 21 a sufiicient distance so that the fingers of the user may be inserted in the opening 27 between handle 26 and top 21. At the outer end of horizontal portion 26 the handle is formed with a downwardly-inwardly slanted leg 28 which merges with and is anchored to top 21 at approximately its rearward end.

Rearward end 13 is shorter than front end 12 rising to a shoulder indicated by reference numeral 31 and above said shoulder 31 slanting inwardly-upwardly in a rear flank 32 disposed at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the horizontal. An annular rim 33 is formed in flank 32 said rim 33 having an outwardly extending thin neck 34 approximately perpendicular to flank 32, neck 34 being provided with screw threads.

Fitting within the opening of neck 34 is a cup 36 having circular walls 37 merging into a spherical inner end 38. The walls 37 are somewhat elongated so that the cup extends downwardly and across the width of the container. The outer end of cup 36 is formed with a peripheral flange 39. Annular ring 40 having down-turned flange 41 is threaded on rim 33 and clamps flange 39 against rim 33. Cup 36 is thus held in the opening in the container and when once installed is held in position by a suitable adhesive cementing neck 34 and flange 39. Preferably, two clips 42, 43 are formed integrally as projections of ring 40, clip 42 projecting inwardly and clip 43 outwardly. Clip 42 has curved edges 44 and terminates in notch 46 which have approximately circular arcs at their inner ends with somewhat constricted openings at their outer ends. Clip 43 is similarly shaped. Clips 42, 43 are of flexible material and hence fold to the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The clips are used to secure in place other equipment as hereinafter described.

A manually operated pump 53 is installed in neck 22. For such purpose there is a cap 54 internally threaded and screwing over neck 23. Cap 54 is formed with a circular aperture 56. Pump body 58 is inserted extending through aperture 56 and terminating in an elongated tube 59 which fits down to a point adjacent the bottom 16 of container 11. Exteriorly of cap 54 are radial finger grips 61 under which the first and second fingers of the user are curled in the operation of the pump as hereinafter described. Pump body 58 has a cylindrical chamber 62 at its upper end which tapers downwardly to a ball seat 63, the seat receiving a ball 64 which functions as a check valve. Ball 64 is preferably of a noncorrosive material such as stainless steel. Below ball seat 63 is an enlarged surge chamber 66 and below surge chamber 66 is tube 59. Vertically slidablein chamber 66 is a plunger 67 having a central plunger cavity 68 and having below cavity 68 a rubber or rubber-like seal 69 which at its upper end 71 is of restricted diameter to fit within plunger cavity 68 and at its lower end flares outwardly for sealing engagement with the interior of chamber 62. A helical spring 70 is interposed between the lower end of seal 69 and a contraction 72 at the bottom of pump chamber 62. The lower end of spring 78 is bent inwardly in a smaller diameter section which is spaced upwardly from ball seat 63 to restrict upward movement of ball 64 but to permit the ball to rise during the upstroke of plunger 67. A pair of breather holes 75 are formed in the upper end of chamber 68 immediately below the top of the container to prevent air from being trapped on the upward stroke of the pump and to permit air to follow the plunger 67 on the downward stroke.

At its upper end plunger 67 is formed with an upper ball seat 78 of restricted diameter in which is positioned upper ball 79. A downward rounded protrusion 81 in the top of upper cavity 82 limits movement of ball 79. Extending sidewardly from the upper end of plunger cavity 82 is a tip 83 connected to cavity 82 by means of orifice 84. An upwardly facing semi-circular ring 86 is formed on the top of plunger 67 for the thumb of the user. Thus When the user grips the finger grip 61 and presses downwardly on ring 86, plunger 67 is depressed in chamber 62 causing liquid which has previously been pumped into the cavity 62 to rise up the chamber 68, lifting check ball 69 and thence out tip 83. When the plunger is released it is lifted by spring 31 and because of the sealing engagement of cap 54 on neck 23 the liquid is sucked up through tube 59, thereby lifting lower check ball 64 and filling the chamber 68.

Attached to tip 83 is a flexible tube 91, which is of a corrosive resistant material such as neoprene rubber and of a length of approximately eighteen inches. On the outer end of tube 91 is a fitting 92 consisting of a second tip 93 which receives the outer end of tube 91 and which has a right-angle bend 94 having an outwardly facing rim 96 with a recessed face 97 in the end thereof. Face 97 has a small spray hole 98 through which the liquid is sprayed. A semi-circular grip 99 is formed on tip 83 for convenience in handling the spray end of the device.

Tip 83 is of extended length and carries adjacent its outer end a collar 101 which performs an important function, as is best shown in FIG. 1. This collar 181 is positioned resting on the rim 102 of bowl 103 and by reason of the distance from collar 101 to hole 98 the spray is directed into the crevice 184 at the bowl rim and thus inside hollow rim 182. This insures that the liquid reaches the most inaccessible portions of the bowl and then runs down by gravity throughout the entire inside surface of bowl 103 and into the sewer trap (not shown).

A mop-type swab 106 having a small diameter wooden handle 187 is used to complete the descaling and sanitizing operation. For storage between uses and particularly to prevent the chemicals from damaging other objects, swab 106 is placed in cup 36 as best shown in FIG. 2. Clip 42 is bent inward and handle 107 slipped within slot 46, the handle being held in place so that mop 186 is not accidentally displaced from cup 36. V

Clip 43 is used to hold fitting 92 between uses inside the cup (in the same manner as in the case of mop 186) by holding tube 91 as shown in FIG. 3.

The apparatus is thus conveniently used in disinfecting and descaling toilet bowls 103 and has other uses where a liquid is transported from place to place and sprayed in a controlled manner. Pump 53 is used to force a controlled and pre-selected quantity of liquid into crevice 104 or any other desired location. Such controlled and convenient means of applying the spray is safe in that the hands of the user do not come in contact with the liquid and is also more eflicient than other means. The shape of container 11 and the location of handle 26 relative to pump 53 and relative to the distribution of weight within the container are particularly useful. Swab 186 may be used to clean the bowl, although gravity tends to bring the liquid into contact with the surface treated. Between uses of swab 106, cup 36 provides a convenient and safe place of storage.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail, by way of illustration and examplefor purposes of clarity of understanding it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A container for the purpose described comprising a hollow body, an upwardly extending neck, a handle adjacent said neck and joined to said upper end of said neck, a finger-actuated pump on said neck, a long, flexible tube for the discharge of said pump, a spray nozzle on the outer end of said tube, said body formed with an aperture on one side, and a cup fitting through said aperture and disposed slanting downwardly within said body, said cup being secured at its outer end to said side.

2. A container having a hollow body with a substantially rectangular horizontal bottom, a front end, a rear end parallel to said front end, sides perpendicular to said ends, said front end being substantially vertical for substantially its entire length, said sides being substantially vertical up to horizontal shoulders on either side and slanting inward above said shoulders at about a 45 angle to form converging flanks, a horizontal top interconnecting said flanks at about the level of the upper level of said front end, said top having a length about equal to one-half the length of said bottom and a width of about one-half the width of said bottom, said rear end extending substantially vertical to a height about half the height of said shoulders and then slanting forwardly-inwardly in a rear flank at about an angle of 45 to merge with said top, an approximately circular neck at the front of said container merging with said front end and projecting above said top, and a hollow handle extending horizontally rearward from a point near the top of said neck and then downward in a leg connecting with the rear end of said top, said handle having a length to accommodate the fingers of the hand, a manually actuated pump attached to the upper end of said neck and vertically reciprocable, a feeder tube extending from said pump down said neck adjacent said bottom, a finger grip for actuation of said pump vertically reciprocable in proximity to said handle for actuation of said pump with the same hand which grasps said handle, an elongated flexible tube connected to receive the discharge of said pump and a fitting on the outer end of said flexible tube formed with a spray orifice.

3. A container according to claim 2, in which said rear flank is formed with an aperture and which further comprises a cup fitting through said aperture and disposed slanting downwardly within said body, said cup secured at its outer end to said container.

4. A container having a hollow body with a substantially rectangular horizontal bottom, a front end, a rear end parallel to said front end, sides perpendicular to said ends, said front end being substantially vertical for substantially its entire length, said sides being substantially vertical up to horizontal shoulders on either side and slanting inward above said shoulders at about a angle to form converging flanks, a horizontal top interconnecting said flanks at about the level of the upper level of said front end, said top having a length about equal to one-half the length of said bottom and a width of about one-half the width of said bottom, said rear end extending substantially vertical to a height about half the height of said shoulders and then slanting forwardly-inwardly in a rear flank at about an angle of 45 to merge with said top, an approximately circular neck at the front of said container merging with said front end and projecting above said top, a hollow handle extending horizontally rearward from a point near the top of said neck and then downward in'a leg connecting with the rear end of said top, said handle having a length to accommodate the fingers of the hand, said rear flank being formed with an aperture and a cup fitting through said aperture and dis posed slanting downwardly within said body, said cup secured at its outer end to said container.

5. A container according to claim 4, which further comprises a clip formed on the outer end of said cup shaped to receive the handle of a mop and restrain dislodgment of said mop from said cup.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 196,198 Corning Sept. 3, 1963 338,832 Dinsmore Mar. 30, 1886 457,120 Ketchum Aug. 4, 1891 551,797 Stafford Dec. 24, 1895 1,716,922 Kirkpatrick June 11, 1929 1,772,425 Lebecque et a1 Aug. 5, 1930 1,814,413 Schulman July 14, 1931 2,043,045 Krinard June 2, 1936 2,694,211 Warren Nov. 16, 1954 3,084,872 Corning Apr. 9, 1963 FOREIGN PATENTS 408,722 Great Britain Apr. 19, 1934 

1. A CONTAINER FOR THE PURPOSE DESCREBED COMPRISING A HOLLOW BODY, AN UPWARDLY EXTENDING NECK, A HANDLE ADJACENT SAID NECK AND JOINED TO SAID UPPER END OF SAID NECK, A FINGER-ACTUATED PUMP ON SAID NECK, A LONG, FLEXIBLE TUBE FOR THE DISCHARGE OF THE PUMP, A SPRAY NOZZLE ON THE OUTER END OF SAID TUBE, SAID BODY FORMED WITH AN APERTURE ON ONE SIDE, AND A CUP FITTING THROUGH SAID APERTURE AND DISPOSED SLANTING DOWNWARDLY WITHIN SAID BODY, SAID CUP BEING SECURED AT ITS OUTER END TO SAID SIDE. 